Naman to Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar

 

Naman to Babasaheb  B.R. Ambedkar     

Today, December 6, is the Mahaparinirvan Diwas (death anniversary) of the great icon of humanity, Babasaheb B.R.

Ambedkar (April 14, 1891 – December 6, 1956). I wrote on the day several times in my blogs in the successive years to pay my humble tributes to the great leader. Due to busy schedule, I intended to remain silent this year. But today I read something about Babasaheb in the media and I thought of picking up the threads and make some observations as Naman to Babasaheb on his Mahaparinivan Diwas.

PM Narendra Modi, paying Tribute to Babasaheb rightly said, “Remembering the great Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinivan Diwas; his thoughts and ideals continue to give

strength to millions. We are committed to fulfilling the dreams he had for our nation.” It is a befitting tribute to Babasaheb. Yet another interesting aspect, which hither to remained under the carpet, came to light. “B.R. Ambedkar was a lifelong Public Diplomat” – an article appeared on the editorial page of the HindustanTimes on December 6. It has been written by two prominent public personalities; Guru Prakash Paswan and Sudarshan Ramabadran, co-authors of the book ‘Makers of Modern Dalit History’. It must be a well researched book though I am yet to lay my hands on the book. The following quote from the article justifies the title f the article, “Public diplomacy has many definitions but broadly speaking, it means a country communicating its values, culture or policies to a foreign audience. B.R. Ambedkar, an Ambassador of Human Rights epitomized this in many ways. He was a strong global communicator of what plagued India and what India ought to do to overcome its challenges to be a model for the world. He also championed soft power much before the term came into the foreign policy lexicon – never resorting to violence in pursuit of social change nor backing anything that called for violence.” The authors termed Babasaheb as “Ambedkar was an inveterate diplomat.” Some days ago, I also saw a video interview MP Shashi Tharoor on The Wire conducted by Karan Thapar on his recent book ‘Ambedkar: A Life’ in which both Karan Thapar and Shashi Tharoor wondered that how come PM Narendra Modi, who clearly and loudly, considered Ambedkar his icon in the face of perceived perception that BJP and RSS and the Hinduitva leadership in general would be able to stomach ‘candid and assertive’ views of Babasaheb Ambedkar on Hinduism and Hindu traditions like

Varanvibashtha (Caste system). RSS Sanghsanchalak Mohan Bhagwat also in the recent past rightly and publically owned the legacy of Ambedkar with regard to bring about ‘Samrasta’ in the society. I would not go into the details of this and leave the matter here as, I think, it is up to PM Narendra Modi and Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and the hardcore Hindu leadership as to how would they synchronize, assimilate and harmonize their views and position with that of B.R. Ambedkar’s. Followers of Ambedkar and the marginalized segments of the society should be rather happy that the so-called ‘opponents’ of Babasaheb Ambedkar  are voluntarily willing to appropriate him and his legacy for the larger interest of the country and the society at large. It should be appreciated and welcomed, to my mind.

As I said that I did not intend to write a long piece today. I would like to mention about April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as ‘International Day of Equality’ under the aegis of UN; a proposal resting the GOI (MEA) since June, 2015 and earnestly urge PM

Narendra Modi and solicit support of Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat to kindly re-visit the proposal afresh in pursuance of India’s Soft Diplomacy of which B.R. Ambedkar was the early proponent as asserted by Guru Prakash Paswan and Sudharshan Ramabadran. Ambedkar in himself is a potent force which cannot be suppressed for long.

Naman to Babasaheb Ambedkar on his Maha-Parinirvan Diwas